Street cleaning machine



March 29, 1966 w. W. YOUNG STREET CLEANING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 27, 1964 INVENTOR. WERNE-E W0 You/v4 BY Z March 29, 1966 w.w. YOUNG STREET CLEANING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 27, 1964 mLU A .M KW Q... m u mm mm WW Q9 2 e w E W March 29, 1965 w. w. YOUNGSTREET CLEANING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 27, 1964 INVENTOR.WE -Q 14/, You/v United States Patent 3,242,521 STREET QLEANHNG MACHINEWerner W. Young, 301 N 13th, Oklahoma City, Okla. Filed Jan. 27, 1964,Ser. No. 340,438 9 Qlaims. (Cl. -340) This invention relates generallyto machines useful in cleaning streets, highways, airport runways, etc.More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relatesto a self-propelled machine incorporating both brushes and a pneumaticsystem for cleaning streets.

Many problems have been encountered in the development of a machinewhich will successfully clean streets, highways, airport runways, etc.Two problems stand out above all others, and the solutions thereof areof great importance, particularly when the machine is to be used inhighly congested areas.

The first of the problems, and probably the most important, is the dustcreated by the brushes of the cleaning machine as it operates. Mostcleaning machines incorporate one or more rotating brushes which areprovided to loosen the dirt and trash adhering to the pavement and, moreoften than not, to move it into some form of receptacle mounted on themachine. To alleviate the dust problem caused by the brushes, manymachines have been provided with a water supply and some means ofspraying the water either on the dirt directly ahead of the brushes orupon the brushes themselves.

While the foregoing procedure may, at least to some extent, alleviatethe dust problems, several other problems result therefrom. Watersprayed as described will tend to turn the dust and dirt into mud. Themud produced is not only hard to remove from the street, but isextremely difficult to convey into any form of receptacle. Also, the mudtends to cling to the bristles of the brushes, impairing theiroperation.

In addition, some means must be provided in the street cleaning machineto contain the water. If a sufiicient water supply is provided to lastfor an extended period, the size and weight of the vehicle will becomecumbersome, if not prohibitive.

The other major problem encountered in attempting to clean streets hasoccurred primarily when attempts have been made to use a vacuum orpneumatic system either alone or in conjunction with the rotatingbrushes. Anyone remotely acquainted with the use of pneumatic systems tomove dust and dirt can readily appreciate the dust problem that isencountered. It is necessary to move large volumes of air at relativelyhigh velocity to carry any quantity of dirt. It follows that the moredirt to be conveyed, the more air volume required and the higher airvelocities required. Higher volumes and velocities of air are alsorequired to convey the relatively large dirt particles which may beencountered in the cleaning of streets. It will be realized that the airwhich is carrying the dirt must be exhausted from the receptacle, andunless some means is provided to separate the dirt from the air, greatquantities of dust will be discharged into the atmosphere. For the mostpart, attempts made in the past to reduce the dust discharged haveincorporated either some form of water system or have used mechanicalseparators of the centrifugal type. The use of a permeable filter mediafor separation of the dust from the air has been judiciously avoided,except in relatively small machines. Such filters have been generallyunsuccessful because of the propensity of the filters to become pluggedor blocked by large particles of dirt and trash.

It is important in street cleaning machines that the trash receptacle beas large as possible so that the machine can remain in operation forextended periods of time. Due to the restrictions on the size and weightof 3,242,521 Patented Mar. 29, 1966 vehicles, the use of water andmechanical separators substantially reduce the volume and weight of dirtand trash that can be accommodated.

The afore-described problems are eliminated or alleviated in the streetcleaning machine of this invention which generally includes a pair ofrotatable brushes arranged for sweeping the street, a suction or vacuumnozzle located near the brushes for picking up dirt and trash, a binlocated on the machine for receiving the dirt and trash, and a fanhaving its outlet connected with an inlet to the bin and its inletconnected with the nozzle. The fan provides high volumes of air forconveying the dirt from the nozzle to the bin. The bin includes agenerally peripheral outlet and a permeable filter media disposedbetween the inlet and outlet of the bin for preventing the discharge ofdust through the outlet while permitting discharge of air therethrough.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved street cleaningmachine that utilizes a vacuum system for conveying dust and dirt, butsubstantially eliminates the dust problems of prior machines.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved streetcleaning machine that can be effectively operated for extended periodsof time.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved,self-propelled street cleaning machine that can be operated from eitherside of the vehicle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved streetcleaning machine that includes independently operable cleaning brushes.

One other object is the provision of an improved street cleaning machinethat can be relatively easily and economically manufactured.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved streetcleaning machine that requires a minimum of maintenance.

The fore oing and additional objects and advantages of the inventionwill become more apparent as the following description is read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like referencecharacters denote like parts in all views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a self-propelled street cleaning machineconstructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of a brush assembly and aportion of the truck chassis with certain parts removed for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view, the brush of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top elevation view, partly in section, of asuction nozzle utilized in the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, taken alongline 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 1 and showingthe dual cab controls; and,

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic circuit utilized in thepreferred form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular, showntherein is a street cleaning machine, generally designated by thereference character 10. The street cleaning machine 10 includes aself-propelled truck 12 having a cab 14 mounted on a chassis or frame16. The chassis 16 is provided in the conventional manner with generallyparallel side rails, 21 front set of tires and Wheels 18, and a rear setof tires and wheels 20 which serve to propel the truck 12. Pivotallymounted on the rear of the chassis 1b is a bin or receptacle 22.

partly in ,section, of

Pivotal mounting of the bin 22 on the chassis 16 is accomplished by apivotal mounting 24. One or more hydraulic cylinders 26 extend betweenthe lower front end of the bin 22 and the chassis 16. The hydrauliccylinders 26 are provided to pivot the bin 22 about the pivotal mounting24 to discharge trash and dirt from the bin 22, as will be explainedmore fully hereinafter. The bin 22 includes a pair of side walls 28 and30, a bottom 32, and a top 34 (see FIG. 2). The bin 22 also includes ahinged rear door 36 as shown in the dash lines of FIG. 1. As may be moreclearly seen in FIG. 2, the bin 22 is also provided with an opening oroutlet 38 which extends peripherally around the bin 22 to permit thedischarge of air therefrom. The opening 38 is separated from the mainportion of the bin 22 by a removable permeable filter 40. Arranged oneither side of the filter 41 is a pair of screens 42 which serve toretain the filter in position. Extending from the front of the bin 22 isan inlet conduit 44- (see FIG. 1) which terminates in a flange portion45.

As shown in FIG. 1, a large fan or blower 46 is mounted on the chassis16 between the cab 14- and the bin 22. An outlet 18 from the fan 46 hasa flange portion 49 that mates with the flange portion of the inletconduit 44 to form a continuous conduit extending from the fan 46 to thebin 22. An inlet 50 of the fan 46 is connected with a vacuum assemblyindicated generally at 52 which is mounted on the chassis 16 just aheadof the rear wheels 20. The vacuum assembly extends forwardly relative tothe truck 12 at an angle with the horizontal or ground not exceeding 20(see FIGURE 1) and terminates just to the rear of a pair of verticallyrotatable disc brush assemblies 54. The brush assemblies 54 arepositioned on either side of the chassis 16 and immediately to the rearof the front wheels 18. The forward end of vacuum assembly 52 is carriedby a hydraulic cylinder 56 which extends from the chassis 16 to thevacuum assembly and provides for the raising and lowering of the frontend of the vacuum assembly.

One of the brush assemblies 54 is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.As shown therein, the brush assemblies 54 include a pivotal link 58extending from a brush housing 60 to the chassis 16. An additionalpivotal link 62, which may be more clearly seen in FIG. 3, extends fromthe brush housing 60 rearwardly and connects with the chassis 16. Apivotally mounted adjusting link 64 may also be seen in FIG. 3 extendingfrom the brush housing 60 to the chassis 16. The adjusting link 64 is ofthe turn-buckle type and includes a nut 66- and a pair of threadedmembers 68 which are arranged so that rotation of the nut 66 will eitherextend or shorten the length of the adjusting link 64. The adjustment isprovided so that the brush assembly 54 can be tilted either forwardly orbackwardly with respect to the chassis 16. A similar pivotally mountedadjusting link 7 0 can been seen in FIG. 4.- The adjusting link 71? alsoextends from the brush housing 61) to the chassis 16 and includes a nut72 and a pair of threaded members 74. The arrangement of the link issuch that rotation of the nut 72 either shortens or increases the lengthof the adjusting link 70 so that the brush assembly 54 is tilted in atransverse direction relative to the chassis 16.

A hydraulic motor 76 is positioned on the brush housing 60 and isoperably connected with a rotatable brush or broom 78. A pair ofconduits 80 and 82 are connected with the hydraulic motor '76 and areprovided to deliver fluid to the hydraulic motor 76, as will beexplained more fully in connection with FIG. 8.

FIG. 4 also shows a hydraulic cylinder 84 which extends between thebrush assembly 54 and the truck 12. The cylinder 64 provides verticalmovement of the brush assembly 54 so that it can be moved between araised transporting position or a lowered operating position. Thehydraulic cylinder 84 derives its power through a 4 pair of hydraulicconduits 86 and 88. The method of providing hydraulic fluid to thecylinder 84 will be explained more fully in connection with theschematic diagram of the hydraulic circuit shown in FIG. 8. Thehydraulic cylinder 84 is not shown in FIG. 3 so that the brush assembly54 may be more clearly seen.

The details of construction of the vacuum assembly 52 are shown in FIGS.5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 5, the inlet 50 which extends from assembly 52to the fan 46 is connected with the chassis 16 by means of a pair ofbrackets 91) which are fixed to the inlet 50. The outer ends of thelinet 50 are provided with a pair of swivel connections 92 which are inturn connected with a pair of conduits 94 leading to a nozzle 53 whichincludes a chamber 96 having a substantially horizontal opening 55formed at the bottom thereof. The swivel connections 92 are provided sothat the nozzle 53 and the conduits 94 of assembly 52 can be raised orlowered by the hydraulic cylinder 56. As shown, the chamber 96 extendstransversely across the chassis 16 and is located immediately to therear of the brush assemblies 54. The forward portion of the nozzle 53 isprovided with a guard 98 which has a curved lower forward portion todeflect any rocks or large obstructions which the nozzle mightencounter. The nozzle 53 is also provided with a rod or bar 100 whichextends thereacross. The cylinder 56 which is used for raising andlowering the nozzle 53 is connected with the bar 100.

Dual controls 102 and 164 are provided in the cab 14 as illustrated inFIG. 7. It is highly desirable for the driver to be able to sit on theright hand side of the truck 12 during the time that the right handbrush assembly 54 is in use adjacent a curb or other obstruction. Theneed for such controls has increased because of the number of one-waystreets in use and the desirability of having the truck operate with thetraflic, rather than against the traific as is sometimes necessary withmachines presently available. It should also be pointed out that thevarious controls for the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 8 will be mounted inthe cab 14 and are generally illustrated by the control panel 106 showntherein.

FIG. 8 illustrates schematically the hydraulic circuit associated withthe various components of the street cleaning machine. An engine 1118,which is preferably the truck engine, also drives hydraulic pumps 110and 112 through appropriate transmissions, etc. Each of the pumps 110and 112 have their inlet ports connected by a conduit 114- with a filter116. The filter 116 is in turn connected by a conduit 118 with a fluidreservoir 120.

The pump 111) is connected with a hydraulic motor 122 by a conduit 124.A pressure relief valve 126 is interposed in the line 124 between thepump 110 and the hydraulic motor 122 to prevent overpressuring the motor122, which is mechanically coupled with and rotates the fan 46. Theoutlet of the hydraulic motor 122 is connected with the reservoir 120 bymeans of a return con duit 128. A heat exchanger 130 is positioned inthe return line 128 to dissipate some of the heat in the hydraulic fluiddriving the motor 122. A conduit 132 extends from the relief valve 126to the return line 128 to provide for fluids to pass from the pump 110directly into the return line 128 in the event a predetermined pressureis exceeded in the relief valve 126.

The outlet port of the pump 112 is connected by a cond-uit 134 to athree-way valve 136 which is connected with the hydraulic cylinder 26 bya conduit 138. As previously described, the hydraulic cylinder 26 isconnected with the chassis 16 and the bin 22 and is used to pivot thebin relative to the chassis 16. The remaining port of the three-wayvalve 136 is connected by a return conduit with the fluid reservoir 120.It can be seen from the foregoing that, when the three-Way valve 136 isin the position illustrated, fluid will be supplied from the pump 112through the conduit 134 and conduit 138 to the hydraulic cylinder 26which will raise the bin 22. When the valve 136 is rotated to a positionconnecting the conduits 138 and 140, fluid from the hydraulic cylinder26 will flow tothe reservoir 120 and thereby permit the bin to return tothe horizontal position, i.e., to the position shown in the solid linesin FIG. 1.

The conduit 134 is also connected with a four-way valve 142. A pair ofconduits 144 and 146 connect the four-way valve 142 with thedouble-acting hydraulic cylinder 56 which, as previously described,extends between vacuum assembly 52 and the chassis 16. The fourway valve142 is also connected with the return flow line 140 by means of a branchconduit 148. The alternate flow paths of fiuid through the four-wayvalve 142 are illustrated by the solid and dash arrows shown thereon.The nozzle 53 will be lowered when the valve is placed in the positionwherein the fluid flow is in accordance with the solid arrows shown onthe valve 142. When the valve is in this position, it can be seen thatfluid flow is from the conduit 134 through the valve 142 into theconduit 144 to the hydraulic cylinder 56. The return flow of fluid fromthe lower portion of the hydraulic cylinder 56 is through the conduit146 to the valve 142, thence through the branch conduit 14% into thereturn flow line 148 and then to the reservoir 12%. If vacuum assembly52 is to be reaised, the valve 142 is positioned so that the flow is ina reverse direction therethrough, as shown by the dash arrows.

Raising and lowering of the brush assemblies 54 is accomplished in amanner very similar to the raising and lowering of vacuum assembly 52.The hydraulic circuits associated with the hydraulic cylinders 84incorporate a pair of four-way valves 150 which are, in all respects,similar to the four-Way valve 142 previously described. To raise thebrush assemblies 54, the four-way valves 150 are shifted t the positionwherein fluid flow therethrough is in accordance with the dash arrows.For example, fluid will flow from the conduit 134- through the valvesinto the conduits 38 to the lower portions of the cylinders 84, drivingthe piston and the brush assemblies 54 upwardly. To lower the brushassemblies 54, the four-way valves 150 are shifted to the positionwherein fluid flow therethrough is in accordance with the solid arrows.For example, fluid will move from the conduit 134 to the conduit 86 tothe upper portions of the cylinders 84, driving the brush assemblies 54downwardly. The return flow from the valves 150 is accomplished througha return flow line 154 which is connected with the flow line 140 whichdelivers the fluid to the reservoir 120.

The pump 112 is also connected with a three-way valve 156 by means ofthe conduit 135. The three-way valve 156 is connected with a conduit 158which is connected with the inlet port of the fluid motors 76 by aconduit 82. The pair of conduits 80 connect the outlet ports of thehydraulic motors 76 with the return flow line 154 which, as previouslydescribed, is connected with the reservoir 120 by the return flow line149. The conduit 82 which is connected with the inlet ports of thehydraulic motors 76 is also provided with a pair of branch conduits 160and 162 which are connected with the return flow line 154, bypassing thehydraulic motors 76. The lines 160 and 162 are provided with solenoidactuated valves 164 and 166, respectively, so that either or both of thehydraulic motors 76 may be bypassed if desired.

It should be pointed out that each of the valves described herein ispreferably of a type incorporating a remote operator which can bemounted in the cab 14 of the truck 12. It should also be pointed outthat the hydraulic circuit has been simplified by not illustratingvarious pressure control mechanisms which are provided to balance theflow through the complex system of hydraulic conduits shown. The use ofsuch mechanisms is Well known in the art and it is not believed that itforms a portion of the invention as set forth herein.

A street cleaning machine 10, constructed in accordance with theinvention, provides a highly mobile unit that may be readily driven toand from remote locations Where the street cleaning is to be performed.Before driving to or from the cleaning area, the truck engine 108 willbe started and the pump 112 engaged. The four way valves 142 and 150 aremoved to a position wherein the fluid flow is in accordance with thedash arrows shown on the valves. In this position vacuum assembly 52 andthe brush assemblies 54 will be raised to a transporting positionwherein they are held out of contact with the surface of the street. Ifdesired, vacuum assembly 52 and the brush assemblies 54 may be providedwith some form of mechanical latch (not shown) which will positivelyhold the nozzle 53 and the brush assemblies 54 in the transportingposition to eliminate any chance that they might drop down and come intocontact with the surface of the street during the relatively high speedoperation of the truck 12.

Upon reaching the location where the streeet cleaning is to beperformed, the pumps 110 and 112 will be engaged with the drivingmechanism or engine 108. Actu-' ation of the pump 11% will move fluidfrom the reservoir through the conduit 114 and the conduit 124 into thefluid motor 122. Fluid passing through the motor 122 will cause it torotate and, through its mechanical linkage, rotate the fan 46. The fan46 is arranged to create a suction in the vacuum assembly 52.

The valve 142 is then shifted to the position wherein fluid from thepump 112 will flow from the conduit 134 into the conduit 144 (solidarrows) and to the upper portion of the hydraulic cylinder 56, loweringassembly 52. The four-way valves will be actuated so that fluid in theconduit 134 will flow through the conduit 86 to the cylinders 84,thereby lowering the brush assemblies 54 into contact with the street.If desired, either the left hand brush assembly 54 or the right handbrush assembly 54 may be actuated independently. In some instances, suchas when sweeping along a curb or in a gutter, it may be desired to loweronly one of the brush assemblies 54.

To start the rotation of the brushes 78, the three-way valve 156 will beswitched to such a position that fluid will flow from the conduit 134into the conduit 158 and thence through the conduits 82 into thehydraulic motors 76. Fluid flowing through the hydraulic motors 76 will,through the mechanical coupling to the brushes 78, cause the rotation ofthe brushes 78. It may be desirable to rotate only one of the brushes78. The rotation of either brush 78 can be accomplished by the openingor closing of the solenoid actuated valves 164 and 166. For example, ifonly the upper brush 78 shown in FIG. 8 is to be operated, the valve 164will be closed and the valve 166 opened. With the valves 164 and 166 inthis position, fluid will flow through the conduit 82 and the motor 76of the upper brush assembly 54, but will flow through the conduit 162bypassing the lower motor 76. If both brushes 78 are to be driven, thevalves 164 and 166 are both closed. With the valves 164 and 166 in thisposition, hydraulic fluid is directed through the conduit 82 and throughboth hydraulic motors 76.

As the street cleaning machine 10 moves along the street, the brushes 78will be rotating in a direction to sweep the dust and dirt from theoutside of the truck toward the center position thereof where it ispicked up by the nozzle 53 and carried into the fan inlet 50, throughthe fan 46 and from the outlet 48 of the fan 45 into the bin 22. The airand dust thus passing into the bin 22 must pass through the filter 40 toreach the outlet 38 of the bin 22. As the air passes through thepermeable filter 40, the dirt and dust entrained therein is separatedand falls to the bottom 32 of the receptacle or bin 22. After the bin 22has become filled, the truck must then be moved to a dumping area.

In order to move the truck to the dumping area, vacuum assembly 52 andthe brush assemblies 54 are raised and, if desired, locked in position.Upon reaching the dumping area, the pump 112 will be actuated and thethree-way valve 136 rotated to a position wherein fluid may pass fromthe conduit 134- into the conduit 13%, thence into the hydrauliccylinder 26 which raises the bin 22 to the position shown in dash linesin FIG. 1. As previously mentioned, the rear end of the bin 22 isprovided with a hinged door 36 which opens automatically as the bin 22is pivoted about the pivotal mounting 24. The mechanism utilized topermit the rear door 36 to open as the bin is raised is conventional andwell known to those connected with the use and construction of dumptrucks of various types and will not be described in detail.

As the bin is raised, it is important to note that the inlet conduit 44which is permanently fixed to the front wall of the bin 22 separatesfrom the outlet 48 of the fan 46. The inlet conduit 44 and outlet 48 arenot mechanically connected, but form a continuous conduit by the contactof two flange portions 45 and 49 thereon which are held together by theweight of the bin 22 when the bin 22 is in the down position.

It is important to note that the bin 22 does not include water or anyform of watering mechanism to prevent the dust from entering theatmosphere, but depends entirely on the permeable filter media and thequiescent space in the bin 22. Since no water is utilized, the bin 22can be constructed of light material and therefore provide the maximumvolume for dust and dirt retention. Having a bin of suificient volumeprovides two distinct advantages. For example, the area beneath theinlet provides a quiescent zone in which the dust and dirt can fall andwill not be picked up and circulated through the pneumatic or vacuumsystem used to remove the dirt from the street. It also provides theadvantage of keeping the street cleaning machine in operation for longerperiods of time.

It should also be pointed out that due to the provision of the dualcontrols in the cab 14, the street c'ieaning machine can be operatedefi'iciently along either curb of a street. The machine can be operatedin the same direction as traffic regardless of which curb is to becleaned. The ability to operate with the tratiic is important inpreventing congestion which naturally occurs when a truck, moving asslowly as street cleaning equipment does, is encountered moving in theopposite direction to the normal traffic flow.

Having described but a single embodiment of the invention, it should benoted that such embodiment is by way of example only and it isunderstood that many changes and modifications can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope ofthe annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. A street cleaning machine including:

a horizontally disposed frame having a left side, a right side, a frontend and a back end;

a brush mounted on said left side and a brush mounted on said rightside, said brushes being rotatable about a substantially vertical axisand movable vertically relative to said frame;

a vacuum assembly pivotally mounted below said frame behind andextending toward said brushes, said vacuum assembly having an openingsufficiently close to said brushes to receive debris directly therefrom;

a bin pivotally mounted on said frame, said bin including a top, abottom, side walls, and a front wall, said bin having an inlet openingin the front wall and an outlet opening extending peripherally aboutsaid walls adjacent said top and having a permeable filter mediapositioned between said outlet opening and said inlet opening, saidfilter media extending completely across the top of the bin andgenerally parallel to the top thereof;

4% means for pivoting said bin relative to said frame;

and,

blower means mounted on said frame and having an inlet connected withsaid vacuum assembly and an outlet connected with the inlet opening insaid bin.

2. The street cleaning machine of claim 1, and also including:

means connected with said frame and each of said brushes forindependently moving each of said brushes vertically relative to saidframe; and,

means connected with said frame and said vacuum assembly for pivotingsaid vacuum assembly relative to said frame.

3. A street cleaning machine, including:

a frame having a pair of horizontally extending opposed side rails andmeans holding said side rails in spaced relationship;

a rotatable brush mounted on each of said side rails and adapted forindependent vertical movement relative to said side rails;

means connected with each of said brushes for rotating said brushesabout a substantially vertical axis;

blower means mounted on said frame having an inlet and an outlet;

a vacuum assembly pivotally mounted below said frame behind andextending toward said rotatable brushes, said assembly having an outletcommunicating with the inlet of said blower means and having an openingsufficiently close to said brushes to receive debris directly therefrom;

an enclosed bin pivotally mounted on said frame, said bin including atop, a bottom, side walls, and a front and rear wall, said bin having aninlet open ing extending through the front wall releasably connectedwith the outlet of said blower means and having an outlet openingextending peripherally about said side Walls adjacent said top;

a permeable filter media disposed in said bin between the inlet andoutlet openings, said filter media extending completely across the topof said bin and generally parallel to the top thereof, whereby dust andother foreign materials will be removed from air passing therethrough;and,

means connected with said frame and bin for pivoting said bin relativeto said frame.

4. The street cleaning machine of claim 3 wherein said bin alsoincludes:

a releasable end closure adapted to open upon pivoting said bin awayfrom said frame, whereby trash accumulated therein will be dumped; and

said bin having sufficient volume to provide a quiescent space in thelower portion thereof relatively below said inlet, wherein trashseparated from the air by said permeable filter media can accumulateuntil dumped.

5. The street cleaning machine of claim 4 wherein said means forrotating said brushes includes a hydraulic motor operably connected witheach of said brushes; and said street cleaning machine also includes:

hydraulic cylinders connected with said frame and with each of saidbrushes, whereby said brushes can be moved vertically relative to saidframe;

a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting said suction nozzle relative to saidframe;

a hydraulic motor operably connected with said blower means;

pump means in fluid communication with said hydraulic cylinders andmotors for actuating said cylinders and motors; and,

means for driving said pump means.

6. A street cleaning machine including a chassis mounted, engine drivenVehicle having front and rear wheels comprising:

brush means mounted for vertical movement on the 9 chassis generallybehind each front wheel, each said brush means including:

a brush rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a hydraulic motorfor rotating said brush; and, a hydraulic cylinder connected with eachbrush means and the chassis for independently moving said brush meansrelative to the chassis;

a vacuum assembly pivotally mounted below said chassis behind andextending toward said brush means, said vacuum assembly having anopening sufficicntly close to said brush means to receive debrisdirectly therefrom;

a hydraulic cylinder connected with the chassis and said vacuum assemblyfor pivoting said vacuum assembly relative to the chassis;

a bin pivotally mounted on the chassis, said bin including a top, abottom, side walls and a front and rear wall, said bin having an inletopening in the front wall and an outlet opening extending peripherallyabout said walls adjacent said top;

a hydraulic cylinder connected with said bin and the chassis forpivoting said bin relative to the chassis;

a permeable filter media disposed in said bin between the inlet andoutlet openings, said filter media exa horizontally disposed framehaving a left side, a right side, a front end and a back end;

a brush mounted on said left side and a brush mounted on said rightside, said brushes being rotatable about a substantially vertical axis;

a vacuum assembly including conduit means mounted on said frame andextending forwardly toward said brushes, said assembly having a nozzleon the forward end of said conduit means and said nozzle having formedtherein a substantially horizontal opening sufficiently close to saidbrushes to receive debris directly therefrom, said conduit means, nozzleand opening forming a substantially straight flow passage and saidconduit means extending at an angle of less than with respect to theground;

a bin mounted on said frame, said bin having an inlet opening and anoutlet opening therein;

a permeable filter positioned between said outlet opening and said inletopening in said bin, whereby said debris is removed from air passingthrough said bin; and

blower means mounted on said frame for drawing air into said vacuumassembly and passing said air through said inlet and outlet in said bin.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said nozzle includes aforward portion which curves upwardly from said opening for deflectingrelatively large solid objects away from said opening.

tending completely across the top of said bin between said front andrear walls and between said side walls and generally parallel to saidtop;

blower means having an inlet connected with the outlet of said vacuumassembly and an outlet releasably connected with the inlet opening insaid bin;

a hydraulic motor mounted on the chassis for driving References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 802,682 10/1905 Collyer 15340 X W1blower means: and, 985,945 3/1911 Shea 15-347 pump means mounted On thechassis adapted to be v g g et 1 X driven by the engine, said pump meansincluding 1229127 6 /1917 Osborne means interconnecting said hydrauliccylinders and 1374933 4/1921 Lund 15 83 motors with said pump means,whereby said hydrau- 2458258 1/1949 Furr lic cylinders and motors areadapted to be driven 1/1950 Wells 15 340 y- 2,558,496 6/1951 Reeves15-390 X 7. The street cleaning machine of claim 6 wherein said 40 2,30347 1957 Hobbs 15 34 X brush means also includ 2,991,492 7/1961 Dear etal. 15-87 a pivotal linkage connecting said brush means and 3,054,1309/1962 Ferrari 15-340 chassis; 3,165,775 1/1965 Lutz 15340 a firstadjustable linkage extending between said brush 3,172,143 3/ 1965 Yuciset al 15340 means and chassis, whereby said brush means can 3,186,0216/1965 Krier et al. 15-340 be tilted in a transverse plane extendingthrough FOREIGN PATENTS said chassis; and, a second adjustable linkageextending between said g brush means and chassis, whereby said brushmeans 50 11/1959 ig i i can be tilted in a plane generally perpendicularto 970674 9/1964 Great i a-3' the transverse plane extending throughsaid chassis.

8. A street cleaning machine including ROBERT w. MICHELL, PrimaryExaminer.

1. A STREET CLEANING MACHINE INCLUDING: A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED FRAMEHAVING A LEFT SIDE, A RIGHT SIDE, A FRONT END AND A BACK END; A BRUSHMOUNTED ON SAID LEFT SIDE AND A BRUSH MOUNTED ON SAID RIGHT SIDE, SAIDBRUSHES BEING ROTATABLE ABOUT A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL AXIS AND MOVABLEVERTICALLY RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME; A VACUUM ASSEMBLY PIVOTALLY MOUNTEDBELOW SAID FRAME BEHIND AND EXTENDING TOWARD SAID BRUSHES, SAID VACUUMASSEMBLY HAVING AN OPENING SUFFICIENTLY CLOSE TO SAID BRUSHES TO RECEIVEDEBRIS DIRECTLY THEREFROM; A BIN PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAIDBIN INCLUDING A TOP, A BOTTOM, SIDE WALLS, AND A FRONT WAL, SAID BINHAVING AN INLET OPENING IN THE FRONT WALL AND AN OUTLET OPENINGEXTENDING PERIPHERALLY ABOUT SAID WALLS ADJACENT SAID TOP AND HAVING APERMEABLE FILTER MEDIA POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID OUTLET OPENING AND SAIDINLET OPENING, SAID FILTER MEDIA EXTENDING COMPLETELY ACROSS THE TOP OFTHE BIN AND GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE TOP THEREOF; MEANS FOR PIVOTINGSAID BIN RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME; AND, BLOWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEAND HAVING AN INLET CONNECTED WITH SAID VACCUM ASSEMBLY AND AN OUTLETCONNECTED WITH THE INLET OPENING IN SAID BIN.